We will be leaving for our first trip to the BI in two weeks. Since my husband long ago refused to keep carrying my suitcase if I kept overpacking, I have learned how to pack very light (and now can actually lift my own suitcase!). That being said, what did you find was the most important item you took with you to the BI? Thank you!

Money...lots of money.

Flamingo

Luckily, that is small, lightweight and easy to pack!

Comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes. That fresh volcanic terrain is rough, and is half the fun of exploaring on the BI.

But also take (or acquire) a pair of nice-looking flip-flops, for more relaxing undertakings, which is what the locals wear most of the time.

Sunblock
soft sided cooler
good sunglasses
lip block

don't worry about it...anything you need you can get there. Basically, bathing suit, cover-up, sundress, shorts & tops.

Thanks for those who have responded. I have been to Hawaii several times, just not the Big island, and didn't know if there was anything specific I might need that I might not find there (e.g. while I am sure they have good sporting goods/outdoor adventure stores there, I would want to take my own hiking boots that have been broken in).

If you're visiting the north or east side of the island, bring an umbrella.

If you're going up Mauna Kea, bring a jacket, sweater or at least a heavy long-sleeve shirt.

Other than that, just the usual for Hawaii -- shorts, t-shirts and flip flops, although the more ritzy resorts in Waikoloa do have a dress code for a few of their restaurants.

fdecarlo - thank you!

A small pair of binoculars. Sometimes you just wish you had them in your grasp!

Though this series was not essential for a trip to Lanai which I believe you visited, I found the "Hawaii-The Big Island Revealed" to be higly informative
and indispensable for hard to find beaches and snorkel sites etc. Here is link:

http://www.wizardpub.com/bigisland/bigisland.html

a scrunchy, barrette or whatever to tie you hair up! esp. if you head to south point, where the trade winds are fierce

Thanks again everyone! I do have my copy of Hawaii-The Big Island Revealed (I have found the Kauai book indispensable). Binoculars - excellent - I will have to make sure I pack those! And I definitely always take my barrette (which I bought on my very first trip to Kauai) with me everywhere!

JohnD - yes, I did visit Lanai - a guidebook was not really necessary there : )!

alex,
See if you can find a place that serves "juicy wine and stinky cheese". If not, the 4 of us will go in partners and open one up!
What this country needs are more "juicy and stinky" places!

Got a pair of small, digi-binos yet? If you do, READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST!!!

I got some great shots of whales jumping right off the shore in Kapaa about a week before we were to come home.
Even got a great shot of a double breech!
Since I still had about 30 pics left in the built in memory, no need to take it to the local digi-shop to d'load so I packed the binos in my luggage...taking out the batteries so it would not look like the "B Word" in my luggage.
Well, if I would have read the directions, they tell you not to take the batteries out for longer than a few minutes or you lose the pics.

Live and learn!
Enjoy and mucho mahalos,
Kal

Kal,

I will definitely try to scope out the best place to find juicy wine and stinky cheese (anyone know any good shops on the BI?) but, don't worry, I will also make sure to sample many lava flows and Kona brews to make sure that I can make sound recommendations for your trip to the BI!

Thanks for the, as always, good advice on the digital binoculars. I think we will probably stick with our regular binoculars since I just got a second digital camera. I will send you the pics when we get back!

Alex

Not just one thing. By the way, I could easily have bought all these things there:

A fairly good underwater camera. The disposables weren't as good as one we borrowed from a friend a few years ago. With your own, you get better control over film quality and speed.

A casual ankle length cotton dress.

Extra underwear. I changed from regular clothes to a swim suit and back a few times a day.

A good sunhat.

travellyn, thank you for your suggestions. I am not debating that you can buy pretty much anything on Hawaii.

A pair of water shoes is very useful if you plan to do much snorkeling, tidepooling, or beach walking (many beaches have lava rocks in the sand). Lands End and most sporting goods stores carry them and you won't have any problem finding them in Hawaii either.

Sunglasses are a must, but you probably already planned to bring those! And obviously can be easily bought in Hawaii unless you need prescription ones.

Thanks Miranda! Water shoes are a great idea! And sunglasses (both regular and my sunglass clip for my regular prescription glasses) are definitely a must!